‘Bank of Industry ‘ll support youths in agric’

The Bank of Industry (BoI) has pledged more funding support for youths willing to venture into processing of agricultural commodities.

A representative of the bank, Mr. Tolulope Toluwalase gave the commitment during the closing ceremony of Champions for Change Leadership in Agriculture short course in Abuja.

The training was organised by Africa Lead in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Toluwalase said the bank is willing to release as much as possible funding to support the trainees without stringent collaterals.

According to him, graduates among other interested youths could make use of their certificates as a guarantee to access the loans.

“The training will increase their capacity especially to approach BoI for assistance in whatever project they might be interested in agriculture. At BoI, we have lots of products participants can make use of. There is facility for women and youths.

“We have interest rates that are attractive, tenores that are good and security arrangements the youths can meet; so whenever they are ready to harness their potentials, access funds, BoI is open and willing to attend to them,” Toluwalase said.

Earlier, West Africa Regional Head, Africa Lead, Mrs. Carla Denizard said the training on change management for women and youths was to equip the participants on principles of African Union Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

She said it was designed to inspire, energise and mobilise innovative leaders, champions and thinkers who are committed to creative new approaches to achieve food security in Africa.

Describing Africa Lead as primary capacity building program in sub Saharan Africa, she said the initiative remained committed to realising the Feed the Future (FTF) goals to reduce hunger and poverty by building capacity of agriculture professionals.

She identified need to promote strategic leadership, planning and evaluation to achieve success in agriculture development programmes.